#who does this prof think she is😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[lwieserce]

I am about to have the worst exam of my life and its for a subject thats worth 2 ects AT MOST

[awrkive]

Wer is grumpy jk! We badly need it 😫😭

summary: you and jungkook are getting closer, moving forward – but to where, exactly? what does that entail for your relationship? 

w/c: 3.3k

note: this is for all the girlies who asked for part 2 for this drabble. nothing but fluff in here ): ive been thinking abt college jk lately and i lowkey like this grumpy!jk guy… basically this takes place two months after the first drabble u may read this amm for grumpy!jk for a brief bg on what their relationship has become before u go read this parr. anyway the ending is a bit diabolical and im saying sorry in advance

also pls listen to come here by kath bloom, its literally so them 😮‍💨😖

It’s almost natural the way Jungkook immediately slings his backpack on one shoulder, heads straight out of the lecture hall, and starts the almost ten-minute walk from his department building to yours the moment his last class for the day was dismissed. 

He waits outside by the hallway along the lecture room, scrolling through his phone mindlessly, knowing that any minute now you’ll be coming out of the door. 

And just as a slew of students’ chattering becomes louder, their heavy footsteps coming out from the hall, Jungkook instantly spots you; talking to a friend animatedly – Joy, maybe? – before you look to the other side and finally see him. 

“Jungkook!” You exclaim with excitement, smiling up at him and even doing a little wave. Jungkook watches as you turn to your friend. “Sorry, I gotta go. Zoom meeting at five, right?” He hears you say before she nods, bidding your goodbyes to each other before she goes in the opposite direction while you saunter towards him with that usual dashing grin on your face. 

Jungkook meets you halfway, lips curling up slightly at your enthusiastic greeting. Even more so when you don’t fight off the way he goes for your tote bag, taking it off your shoulder and wearing it on his own, the weight not adding that much to his own bag perched on his back. 

He remembers the first time he tried to do it (awkwardly, might he add), and you vehemently refused. But Jungkook can be persistent sometimes when he wants to, and eventually you gave up trying to resist.

Currently, as you walk along the hallway out of your building, standing close together, Jungkook tries not to think too much about how easy this feels. Like it’s normal the way you immediately interlock your arm around his own, skipping a little bit upon your walk as you begin speaking.

“You really did cut your hair.” You marvel at him when he looks down at you. And he can’t help it; the blood rushing to his cheeks and certainly on his ears. 

“I sent you a picture.” He simply says. It was yesterday. He originally went to his barber for just a trim but he remembers you saying something about a particular actor’s haircut… and look, it’s not like he was trying to look like that man but it may have influenced the decision a little bit… 

Anyway, he thinks it looks okay on him. He trusts his barber and Hoseok said it suits him. From your response, you also said it looks nice. 

And you tell him so. “I like it! You look so good. Especially with this frame!” You point to his eyeglasses, smiling up at him. “I was thinking you were just sending me a random picture last night.” 

Jungkook chuckles. “I wasn't, and uh, thank you.”

“You're welcome. Anyway,” you say, “Did you wait for long earlier? Sorry ‘bout that. Prof. Shin had to extend a little bit ‘cause there were a lot of questions about our new project.” 

“You have a new project?”

“Yeah, but nothing really heavy. Just a hotel lobby interior design. We got a week and it’s a paired task thing, that’s why you saw me with Joy earlier—”

He sees a flock of students ahead huddling by your side of the pathwalk, and because you have a tendency to not really pay that much attention to your surroundings, he takes you by the waist slightly to avoid bumping with them, causing you to stumble closer to him. 

You crane your neck to look behind you for a moment, gaze falling back up to Jungkook with widened eyes. “Sorry.” you say with a jutted lip and a little frown. 

“It’s okay.” Jungkook says with a reassuring smile. He means it. He likes being close like this and if you don’t watch your surroundings, he’ll just do it for you. He doesn’t mind. 

You grin. “Anyway… I was saying, it’s a hotel interior. But! The thing is, it’s a themed hotel, which I’m really excited about ‘cause I’m tired of designing contemporary, luxury ones. They always tend to be so redundant.” 

Jungkook nods. “I think so too. What’s the themed hotel about?” 

“Have you heard of a film called Metropolis?” He shakes his head. You nod at that. “Well, yeah, me neither. At least a week ago. Prof gave it to us as an assignment and it’s a silent film from the ‘20s. A sci-fi tale, so very futuristic – at least for that time. So that’s the theme of the hotel, right, and Joy and I immediately thought of art deco.” 

Jungkook intently listens as you go on about your initial ideas, and he doesn’t even have to worry about the terms he doesn’t understand because you always take time to explain it to him in layman’s. It’s funny, really, because ever since he’s learned that you study interior design and started to talk to him about it, he found himself taking interest in it as well. Two months ago, he couldn't have given a single care about a couple named Charles and Ray Eames and their weird chair called La Chaise, but here he is, anyway.

Maybe it’s because of the way you so passionately talk about it. Your zeal oozes out so much when it comes up as the topic of conversation, and there’s always been something about you that pulls people right in. And Jungkook’s at peace with himself now that he’s just one of those people. 

He’s willing to be pulled right in, anyway. You don’t exactly make it hard to. 

And Jungkook finds that the newfound dynamic between you two isn’t… so bad. He finds excitement at the prospect of seeing you after his classes are concluded, going to Fro-yo for a quick snack because you’re obsessed with it, and studying together at his place later in the day.

A lot of people would say he’s making up for all the times he’s ignored you. The times when he pretended to not care about you. The times when he was just unprovokedly mean and treated you the way he regrets now. And sure, it may have started that way. Ever since your Environmental Science project was finished and the term was over, Jungkook started to feel like he couldn’t go back to the life where you weren’t within his perimeter. Couldn’t imagine you both being back to – practically – regular strangers, so he just… opened up to you more.

He shares his own stories now. Tells you about his day after you do so, and invites you to Fro-yo and other cafes and restaurants around campus whenever your schedules align. 

And maybe at first it was, indeed, because he was trying to make up for his past behavior – but that may have only been what he convinced himself of for the first few weeks. When the week stretched into months and the months suddenly involved you doing sleepovers at his place whenever his roommate, Hoseok, is not around, Jungkook is starting to question himself if this is all still about simply making it up to you. 

Because frankly, he’s starting to feel like it's a little more than that.

He’s not just buying you frozen yogurt and helping you with any assignment (that requires his silly and minuscule math and science expertise) and letting you borrow and keep his hoodies and shirts whenever you sleep over because he’s trying to make up for the past – he’s doing all of these because he genuinely enjoys your company and would like to do more for you… with you… to you… and just… just more. 

He wants more with you. 

And every single day is a daunting battle for his internal mullings. 

Because he knows he’s been stupid all this time not to realize right away that he’s got romantic feelings for you. That his confusion when it comes to you didn't come from the reason that you were extremely extroverted and had way too much energy – it was that those things made him like you and his little heart and brain couldn’t comprehend any of it the way he can easily wrap his head around math equations and concepts.

But he keeps himself on the sidelines. Thinks about keeping himself there until he’s sure of what you truly think about. 

You’re always nice to him. But you’re kind of nice to everybody… so that gets him a little twisted.

On Monday, when you were supposed to hang out – when you usually sleep over at his place, you bailed on him to study with Jae, as per Taehyung's words, your mutual friend.

He just can’t tell if the way you treat him is different to the way you treat everyone else, and that’s what’s been on his mind lately. 

“Oh, Kookie,” you say as soon as Jungkook takes out his keys, going for his keyfob when you arrive at the parking area. He looks at you in question, completely ignoring the way his heart flutters a little at the nickname. He kind of hates it, thinks it's too childish when other people call him that – but with you it sounds so much like an endearment, so he doesn't protest. You press your lips into a thin line before you say, “I can’t go to Fro-yo today. Joy and I agreed to have a zoom meeting later to start conceptualizing.” 

“Oh,” Jungkook blinks. “Rain check?” 

You pout. “Yeah.” 

“You can do it at my place? Hoseok’s doing an all-nighter with his study group, so he won’t be there ‘til the morning.”

“But I didn’t bring my laptop today.”

With furrowed brows, Jungkook steps closer to you. “It’s alright. We can drive to your place, get your laptop then go to mine,” he smiles. “Sleepover?” 

Jungkook doesn’t want to toot his own horn but he may have seen your face light up at that. But it comes off easily and he begins to worry.

“I want to, but I don’t want to impose.” You say. 

Instantly, Jungkook’s forehead creases. “You won’t be imposing.” When he sees that you’re about to decline again, he lets out a, “Please?” 

At that, you stop. You stare at him for a moment. 

“Uh…” you trail off. “You sure? Are you not busy tonight?”

He shakes his head. “I’ll probably start on an assignment so we can be both busy–” you nudge his arm at that, laughing. “– but other than that, no. I’ll cook us something. Or do you want to get take-out instead?” 

“I’d really, really appreciate your black bean noodles tonight.” You muse, looking at him like he holds the stars in the sky. With you gazing up at him like that, how can he say no?

“I think we have the ingredients in the fridge. Black bean noodles it is, then.” Jungkook says before you’re muffling your own squeal in your excitement, saying your little delighted “thank you” when Jungkook ushers you in the passenger seat after opening it for you. 

He rounds the car before he settles on his side, and when he starts the engine, he can’t help but smile slightly at the way you lean comfortably on your seat, as if you’re so used to being in his car – which you are.

And Jungkook finds he likes that. He likes you that way; being used to being around him. 

“You’re done?” Jungkook looks up from his computer, seeing you doing some arm stretches and leaning into his gaming chair to do it on your neck as well. 

“Yep.” 

“Then come here already.” He shuts his laptop close, places it on the bedside table, and pats the space on the mattress next to him. 

It’s nearly 10pm and your zoom meeting with Joy went for nearly 4 hours. You got on it immediately after you two ate your dinner, and like clockwork, asked to borrow one of Jungkook’s shirts because your top was getting a little too uncomfortable on your body. You’ve both already showered – separately, of course – and that’s one of the many things that Jungkook smiles about when he enters his bathroom sometimes. Because the fact that you shower in his bathroom means your essentials are slowly making a space for themselves in his own place; the yellow cup holder of your toothbrush sits next to his blue one, and a bottle of your moisturizer is also in his lavatory cabinet. 

“‘M so tired” You let yourself fall on the mattress, bouncing a little on it face down, sprawling across the bed like some starfish, your other hand landing on Jungkook’s abdomen. 

“Meeting went well?” Jungkook asks, and he’s a little disappointed when you remove an arm on him, but that’s okay, because soon you’re leaning sidewards to properly look at him and it makes him smile to see you so cozy like this. Barefaced and in his shirt. 

“Yeah, we got some work done,” You say. Jungkook watches as you try to get comfortable on your side of the bed. “I think I’m sleepy now.” 

“Yeah?” He follows after you, and he doesn’t hide his huge smile when you go and turn your back to him immediately after he slides his arm under your neck, spooning you from behind. Snuggling closer to him, Jungkook wraps his other arm around your waist and lets out a contented sigh against the back of your head. “My first class is at one thirty pm tomorrow.” 

“I have one at eight am. Then the next one is at ten.” 

“Tough.” 

“I know… I wish I didn’t enlist in morning classes.” 

He chuckles, closing his eyes as he starts to feel that familiar lull of sleep dancing behind his eyes. But truth be told, he doesn’t want to give into that just yet.

“You were with Jae on Monday?” He asks, carefully treading through the subject. It’s Thursday now. It's not like Jungkook’s a jealous guy… it just kind of threw him off a little, because you didn’t tell him you were with Jae. 

“Uh… yeah?” Jungkook feels you freezing in his arms. “How’d you know?” 

“Taehyung told me.” 

“Oh.” He can practically hear the wince. “He has such a big mouth.” You say drily. 

That earns you a laugh from Jungkook. But he decides to take down the jokes for a more honest and open conversation with you tonight. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” It’s not accusatory. It’s soft and gentle, the way he asks it, with his thumb rubbing the exposed skin of your hip due to the hem of your – his – shirt riding up. 

Your answer takes awhile. 

“I was… getting help with estimates.” 

“... Okay,” Jungkook tightens his hold around you, growing confused. “But I’m really good with estimates. I could’ve helped you.” It was easy math for him. And you never shied away from asking him for help before… why now?

“Well, he offered.” 

Jungkook’s brows crease deeper. “That’s not…" he trails off, then continues, "You know you can ask me for anything, right? Jae’s not even on the dean's list. How’d you know he’s teaching you the right stuff?”  

Silence hangs in the air before Jungkook hears your laughter. Shuffling in his arms, Jungkook loosens his hold around you to let you turn to him. When he sees your face, there's a huge grin on it.

“He’s not even on the dean’s list?” You sound intrigued.

Jungkook assumed you were curiously speaking, and so he nods, looking into your eyes seriously. “He isn’t. Look, I’m not saying–” when he notices your smile only getting wider by the second, he realizes you’re just trying to fuck with him, so Jungkook cuts himself off, letting out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I sound like an asshole.”

You scoot closer until both the front of your bodies are stuck. Jungkook tries not to think too much whether you’re wearing a bra underneath his shirt or not. 

You shake your head. “Not really. I believe you’re way smarter than him.” 

“Then why come to him and not me?” 

You stare at him for a moment, then you let out a heavy breath. “I just feel like you’re doing so many things for me nowadays. You were also really busy on Monday– don’t deny it–” you say before he opens his mouth to oppose that. He shuts his lips close, listening to you go on instead. “– and I was just being considerate. Jae offered because we saw and sat next to each other at the library, and I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to disturb you.” 

Jungkook blinks, processing your words. After a pregnant pause, he slowly nods, still dumbstruck. 

“Ah… okay. I understand.” he says, embarrassment slowly filling his system. 

You smile at him. Playfully. “Sorry for asking help from someone who’s not on the dean’s list.” Jungkook drops his expression into a poker face at that, which makes you laugh even more. You nibble on your bottom lip before you stretch your hand to his cheek and pinch it. He doesn’t bother dodging your hand. With a giggle, you say, “Sorry, sorry. That was just so funny. You’re so funny without even trying sometimes, you know?” 

“Not really.” Jungkook says and you can tell the tell-tale signs of his grumpiness starting to kick in.

What he doesn’t expect is the way you suddenly squeal and launch yourself on top of him, causing him to lie fully on his back with you sprawled all over his body, hugging him tight and burying your face in his chest. 

“You’re so cuddly and warm. Can we stay like this for awhile?” You break away from his chest and look at him from a low angle. 

Jungkook meets your gaze. 

Sure, you’ve been cuddling (platonically) all these past few months – but they never went to this length. And he’s not sure what the difference is, anyway – just that you’re much closer like this and Jungkook can feel everything. Still, that doesn’t deter him from wrapping his arms around your waist, slightly locking you in the position. Quite frankly, he doesn’t even want you to move. 

“Alright.” Is his simple answer. Not like he needed to think about it.

“I’ll sleep now, okay?” But you don’t wait for his response before you lay on his chest again with your cheek pressed on his hoodie.

Because the moment just feels right somehow, Jungkook lets his hand wander on your head. Then slowly, he lets his fingers comb through the strands of your hair, tentatively at first, lest you didn’t want him touching you or something like that – but once he hears a sound akin to a purr coming from you, he continues and finds himself getting comforted by the action as well. 

“The Jae thing really bothered you?” You ask suddenly, not breaking away from the position you’ve assumed on top of his body. But your words are slightly slurred in the haze of sleep.

Jungkook hums. “Yes.” 

“Sorry for not telling you myself.” 

“It’s okay,” Jungkook reassures you. His gaze falls to the ceiling, hand still caressing your hair. The surface is empty, and there’s not really much going on. Meanwhile, in your own bedroom, you have those glow in the dark star stickers pasted on your white ceiling. He’s never slept over there, but he thinks it would be nice to lay under your makeshift galaxy with your homely scent surrounding the two of you. “Are you not gonna ask why I was bothered?” He says after a beat. 

“I was gonna. But I think I know.” You answer, and Jungkook doesn’t expect that one bit.

He stops his ministrations on your hair, and it’s obvious that you’re about to question it when you suddenly peel your face away from his chest again. 

When you do, Jungkook meets your gaze and with a leveled tone, he asks the question he’s been mulling about for the past two months.

“__, what are we?” 

[rispwr]

⋆˙⟡ step by step #3 ❤︎ m.list

note : yes omg i cannotttt wait 😭😭 im impatient i know

contents : apearance of sir min yoongi (ugh he's so hot. giving so daddy vibes), teasing (male recieving), implied sex, not detailed sex, indenial reader, literature prof! jk,

wc : 1k?

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

Sunday

I had made the decision to let Jungkook stay at my apartment rather than moving to his. Not because I didn't want to be at his place, but because of his roommate. The last thing I wanted was to disturb them or feel like an inconvenience.

"What about your classes?" I asked as Jungkook unpacked his things, neatly arranging them in my small living room.

"I moved them to online," he replied without sparing me a glance, completely focused on what he was doing.

"So, you're gonna be here 24/7 then?" I pressed, half expecting him to snap at me by now.

But instead, he surprised me. "Of course I will," he said evenly, still not looking up.

Why won't he look at me??

I groaned in frustration, throwing my head back dramatically. "Ugh, you know what? I'm just going to the room."

As I tried to get up, my balance wobbled precariously, and before I could fully register what was happening, Jungkook was there.

"Ahhh- Aish- Y/N!" he scolded, his hands gripping my waist firmly as he caught me mid-trip.

I blinked up at him innocently. "You know you have a broken ankle, right?"

I nodded, giving him my best puppy-dog eyes (which might've been fuck-me eyes, depending on who you asked).

Jungkook let out an exasperated sigh. "Then what were you thinking? You—ugh, you know what? Just stay here." He carefully lowered me back onto the couch, pointing at me like I was a misbehaving child. "Stay. Right. There."

I crossed my arms, sinking into the cushions like a sulky kid. "I'm not a dog, Jeon Jungkook."

"Sure you are," he muttered under his breath, smirking as he turned back to his unpacking.

I scoffed, narrowing my eyes at him. "I'm not the one who barks at me during—"

Before I could finish my sentence, he whipped around, fixing me with an annoyed but amused smile.

"You better behave while I finish setting up," he warned, pointing at me again like I was his student.

I stuck my tongue out at him, refusing to back down. "Is that what you say to your students?" I teased, my voice playful and mocking.

Jungkook shook his head with a grin, clearly trying to hide his growing annoyance. "You're impossible," he muttered, turning his attention back to his suitcase.

I giggled to myself, victorious, as I watched him struggle to ignore me.

Monday

Teasing Jungkook was turning into my new favorite pastime. Ever since yesterday, I couldn't stop poking fun at him- it was too easy, and his reactions were priceless.

This morning, I woke up to find him sitting on the bed next to me, setting up his laptop. His focus was entirely on the screen as he opened Zoom, quickly transforming into his professional teacher persona.

I slowly blinked, trying to clear the sleep from my eyes while watching him work. I'd be lying if I said he wasn't hot when he was in teacher mode. The way his brows furrowed in concentration, his lips slightly pursed. 

it was distracting.

He could teach me a few things too...

The thought crept in before I could stop it. I groaned inwardly, rolling my eyes at myself.

But what really made it worse was that he was sitting there in just boxers and a slightly oversized white t-shirt. Like, seriously? Did he have to look like that first thing in the morning?

"Alright, class," Jungkook's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "For the next three days, I'll be teaching you through online sessions. After that, a substitute teacher will take over temporarily."

"Aww, it's such a shame we won't get to see you, Mr. Jeon," one of his students whined through the screen.

I froze. My eyes narrowed at his laptop. Excuse me?

Why does she need to see him? And why does it bother me? I didn't like the strange, twisting feeling in my chest, and I definitely wasn't planning to analyze it.

Instead, an idea popped into my head.

Was it crazy? Absolutely. Was it a good idea? Probably..... not.

But that didn't stop the mischievous smirk spreading across my face.

Jungkook was definitely going to curse me out for this later, but I couldn't resist.

Jungkook was mid-sentence when you made your move, slipping quietly beneath the duvet. He froze for a moment, his eyes darting downward, disbelief flickering across his face. His lips parted as if to say something, but he quickly muted himself, leaning down just slightly.

"What are you doing?" he hissed, his voice a hushed mixture of panic and warning.

"Shhh," you whispered back, your tone playful as your hands trailed lightly over his thighs. "Just keep teaching, Mr. Jeon."

His brows knitted together in frustration, but before he could respond, a voice from the laptop snapped his attention back to the screen.

"Mr. Jeon? Are you there?"

"Yes," he replied quickly, clearing his throat as he unmuted himself. "Sorry, just... adjusting something."

You couldn't help the quiet laugh that escaped you as you felt his body tense beneath your touch. His legs shifted, a subtle attempt to reposition himself, but you followed his movement, your hands steady as they teased their way higher.

"Behave," he mouthed, his jaw clenched as he glanced down at the suspicious mound beneath the blanket.

But you had no intention of behaving.

With a deliberate slowness, you let your fingers trace the hem of his boxers, your touch feather-light. Jungkook's breath hitched, his grip on the edge of the desk tightening as he fought to maintain his composure.

"Alright," he said, his voice strained but steady as he addressed his class. "Let's move on to the next topic. I'll share my screen now..."

You smiled to yourself, emboldened by his reaction. Slowly, you leaned in, pressing your lips against the sensitive skin of his inner thigh. The muffled groan he let out sent a thrill coursing through you, though he quickly masked it with a cough.

"Mr. Jeon, are you okay?" a student asked.

"I'm fine," he said, his voice an octave lower than usual. "Just... a dry throat. Let's continue."

Biting your lip to stifle a laugh, you decided to push him further. Hooking your fingers under the waistband of his boxers, you tugged them down just enough to expose him. Jungkook's hand shot under the blanket, gripping your wrist in a desperate attempt to stop you.

"i'm in class," he mouthed, his dark eyes blazing with a mix of frustration and something much more primal.

You looked up at him, your gaze challenging as you let your lips brush teasingly against his skin. "and i don't care" you whispered, your voice so quiet it was barely audible.

Jungkook's head tilted back slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. His hand lingered on your wrist for a moment longer before he released you, his fingers flexing as if debating whether to grab you again or let you continue.

You took his silence as permission.

As your lips continued their slow, deliberate exploration, you felt his body tremble under your touch. His breathing grew heavier, though he fought valiantly to keep it quiet. You let your tongue dart out, tasting the salt of his skin, and you felt him tense even further, his knuckles white as they gripped the desk.

"Mr. Jeon?"

Jungkook jolted, unmuting himself with a shaky hand. "Y-yes? Sorry, I was... distracted for a moment. Could you repeat the question?"

You smirked, knowing full well you were the cause of his distraction. As he stumbled through an answer, his voice wavering slightly, you pressed a kiss to the sensitive spot just above his waistband. His reaction was immediate. a sharp intake of breath, followed by a subtle shift in his chair as he tried to adjust without drawing attention to himself.

The tension in the room was electric, every tiny movement and sound amplified by the forbidden nature of what you were doing. You reveled in the power you held over him, knowing he couldn't do anything to stop you without exposing himself.

"Stop," he whispered as soon as he muted himself again, his voice barely more than a breath.

"Make me," you replied, your tone dripping with defiance.

Jungkook's head dipped forward, his hand tangling briefly in his hair as he exhaled a shaky breath. "You're going to pay for this," he murmured, his voice low and full of promise.

You grinned, your teeth grazing his skin lightly in response. "I'm counting on it."

The rest of the class was a blur of tension and restraint, Jungkook's professionalism cracking just slightly as he stumbled through his explanations. When the call finally ended, he closed his laptop with a snap, turning to face you with a look that sent your heart racing.

"You think this is funny?" he asked, his voice dangerously quiet as he leaned closer.

"A little," you admitted, your grin unrepentant.

Jungkook's eyes darkened, his hand gripping your chin as he tilted your head up to meet his gaze. "You have no idea what you've started," he murmured, his voice low and full of intent.

The promise in his tone sent a thrill through you, and you couldn't help but smile. "I don't think i do... can you show me?"

-------

"I'm supposed to be taking care of you, Y/N," Jungkook muttered as we lay in bed, me tucked into his arms, hugging him close.

"And that was my thank you," I said, smiling up at him with a teasing glint in my eyes.

He sighed dramatically, but the corner of his lips tugged into a small smile. "You have to pee, don’t you?" he said, already knowing the answer.

"Take me to the bathroom, pleaseee," I pleaded, grinning at him.

With a shake of his head and a quiet chuckle, he scooped me up effortlessly, carrying me toward the bathroom like it was the most natural thing in the world.

As he set me down gently in front of the toilet, I couldn’t resist. "You’ve double-killed my legs," I joked, smirking as he glanced at me. "Fucked me too hard."

His ears turned red instantly, and he playfully swatted my arm, muttering low enough for me not to hear, "can't believe i'm inlove with this woman"

I laughed, watching his flustered reaction, and he smiled despite himself. "Go finish up," he said, leaning against the doorframe, shaking his head like I was the most exhausting person in the world.

-----

"Hey, Kook? Can you check my phone? See if there are any updates about my work?" I asked, stretching lazily on the bed.

He glanced at me with a raised eyebrow. "You’re on sick leave, though."

"Pleaseee?" I pouted, dragging the word out dramatically.

Jungkook sighed, already defeated. He couldn’t resist me, and we both knew it. Grabbing my phone from the bedside table, he unlocked it with the password he memorized long ago, not that I’d ever mind.

His eyes flicked across the screen, scrolling through my email. "Oh…" he mumbled, pausing mid-scroll.

I sat up straighter. "What?"

"Someone transferred to your department," he muttered, his voice lower now as he handed me the phone.

Curious, I grabbed it and scanned the email. My stomach dropped when I saw the name.

Min Yoongi.

I froze for a moment before letting out a scoff. "He moved back to Korea?" I rolled my eyes, tossing the phone onto the bed like it had personally offended me.

Jungkook’s jaw tightened. His face remained calm, but I could see it. the subtle shift in his expression. He was retreating behind the quiet wall he always put up when something got too close to hurting him.

I sighed, leaning back into the pillows. "I’m tired. I’m gonna sleep."

Jungkook got up from the bed silently, heading toward the bathroom. As he reached the door, he turned to look at me. His face was unreadable, but his eyes… they said everything he couldn’t.

That look felt heavier than words. It was almost as if he were saying something to me. 

Jungkook knew what he was feeling, but he also knew better than to dwell on it. Min Yoongi. My ex. My first long-term relationship. The man who broke my heart by moving away and refusing to make long-distance work. And the man whose shadow still lingered over Jungkook, 

because he was the reason why i broke up with jungkook. 

He never brought it up, never said a word about the history between us. But I knew it. And he knew it too.

Jungkook exhaled sharply, gripping the bathroom doorframe for a second longer than necessary. His mind was a mess, filled with thoughts he didn’t want to think.

He knew he didn’t have a chance with me. He’d accepted that long ago. Being friends with benefits, a fuckbuddy, whatever I called it- this was the closest he’d ever get, and he was grateful for that.

Grateful to be the man who knew my body, who understood my quirks and my thinking, and, in some small, unspoken way, still knew my heart. Grateful just to exist in my orbit, even if it wasn’t the way he wanted.

He turned back to me, his voice quiet but firm, like it took everything in him to say it. "Stay on the bed."

And with that, he walked into the bathroom, leaving behind the tension that sat thick in the air.

-------

It had been a week since I’d sprained my ankle, and Jungkook had been glued to me the entire time. 

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated the help, but he was treating me like I’d shattered every bone in my body. Even when I needed to pee, he insisted on hovering just outside the bathroom door, ready to swoop in like I was some fragile porcelain doll.

We sat together in the doctor’s office, waiting for my follow-up. Jungkook’s leg bounced slightly as he sat next to me, arms crossed, looking like he had something to prove to the universe.

When the doctor finally walked in, Jungkook immediately straightened in his seat, his eyes darting between me and the doctor.

"Well," the doctor began, scanning my chart. "The swelling has gone down significantly, and your range of motion has improved. That’s a good sign."

I exhaled in relief. "So does that mean I can walk again??"

The doctor smiled. "Yes, you can start walking. But," he added, holding up a finger, "take it easy. Avoid prolonged standing or walking, and don’t push yourself too hard. If you feel pain or discomfort, stop immediately and rest."

I grinned, turning to Jungkook with a victorious look. "Hear that? I can walk again. Freedom, finally!"

Jungkook’s jaw tightened slightly. "Yeah, but the doctor said to take it easy. Don’t think you’re running around like nothing happened."

I rolled my eyes and leaned back dramatically in my chair. "Oh, please. You’ve barely let me breathe this past week. God forbid I get up on my own without you hovering like a helicopter."

Jungkook scoffed but didn’t deny it.

I turned back to the doctor with a mock-serious tone. "So, can I go to work, run errands, and do normal human things without Jungkook treating me like I’ll shatter into pieces?"

The doctor chuckled. "Yes, you’re cleared to return to normal activities, as long as you listen to your body and don’t overdo it."

I smirked at Jungkook. "You hear that, Kook? I’m not an invalid anymore. You can finally relax."

Jungkook shot me a look but said nothing.

-----

The next morning, Jungkook insisted on driving me to work for my first day back. I tried to argue that I was fine, but he shut me down instantly.

"You’re still recovering, Y/N," he said firmly, grabbing my bag as I huffed in protest. "It’s not up for discussion."

When we arrived at the parking lot of my office, Jungkook parked the car and quickly came around to my side, opening the door for me. His hand hovered near my arm as I stepped out, like he didn’t fully trust me not to trip and fall.

"Thanks, Kook," I said, giving him a small smile.

But as I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, Jungkook froze. His entire body went stiff, his gaze fixed on something, or rather, someone a few feet away.

I followed his line of sight and immediately felt a knot form in my stomach.

Min Yoongi.

He was leaning casually against a car, holding his phone, dressed sharply in a blazer with his dark hair styled just enough to look effortless. His eyes flicked up, landing on us, and the faintest hint of a smile appeared on his face.

For a moment, no one said anything. The air felt thick, heavy with something unspoken.

"Y/N," Yoongi greeted, his voice smooth and familiar.

I nodded stiffly. "Yoongi."

Jungkook’s jaw clenched beside me, his fists flexing slightly at his sides. He said nothing, but the tension in his shoulders was enough to let me know how he felt.

Yoongi’s gaze shifted to Jungkook, his 'smile' widening slightly. "It’s been a while."

Jungkook didn’t respond. He didn’t even blink.

"I guess I’ll see you inside," Yoongi said to me, his tone polite but tinged with something I couldn’t quite place.

As he walked away, Jungkook exhaled sharply, his jaw still tight.

"Kook…" I started, unsure of what to say, my voice soft. He looked down at me, his expression unreadable.

I sighed, dropping my gaze. "Just—just help me get to the elevator."

His hand moved to the small of my back almost immediately, guiding me forward. But the silence between us spoke unsaid words.

[neeeeeoposts]

i know i keep ranting about fusionfall but DUDE ITS SUCH A COOL CONCEPT AND WHY THE FUCK WAS THE GAME CANCELLED I STILL WANNA PLAY IT😭😭😭

but if u didnt know, fusionfall is a game based around an alien invasion involving cartoon network characters of the 2000s or somewhere around that time frame (if i am correct tho, the academy storyline has characters from some 2010s shows?)

by the way, major spoilers for the game ahead

but what is interesting about that is the fact on who is participating in the game. because fusionfall is a story based around the concept of an alien planet invading earth, it causes a life threatening situation for the characters we are introduced to and basically placing them into a war

AND DO YOU KNOW WHO IS IN THAT WAR??? LITERAL CHILDREN. mostly. what i want to mean by that is when you play the game or at least watch playthroughs of it, there are not adults that you meet at first, the only few adults i can count is Prof. Utonium and Father but there's probably more. Instead when you first join, youre met with younger people (depending on whether youre playing on the future or academy version, it really doesnt matter because either way youre meeting someone younger than the age of 20 when you first boot up the game)

this is interesting to me because, once again, think about who's participating in the war against Fusion. its actual kids, like the KND is actually the main supplier or weapons and transport throughout the entire game, and there are literally so many more examples i could give but i wont

but thinking about it from their persepctive, its fucking terrifying. its a literal war theyre in right now, and half of the population of Townsville (or wherever the game takes place) is either dead or somewhere else because nobody is there but them. for all they know, kids could be thinking that their parents or friends died in the invasion, or vice versa.

also, these characters had to take on a huge role at such a younge age. another example, but in the game (for the future version) once you complete the first quarter of the game and are sent back to the past you have to choose a guide to help you advance in your story. for those who dont know, guides are characters that lead four different story lines rhat can be a potential way to help you defeat Fuse at rhe end. The four guides consist of Dexter, Ben 10, Mojo Jojo and Double D.

Out of the four, double d stands out the most since for one, ben 10 and mojo jojo are like superpowered or something cause they feel actually qualified to be leaders in a war. Dexter is like the main reason that FusionFall takes place so he also makes sense to be a guide. Double D however is most likely still 12 years old (or older), still a genius n inventor, but he's just a normal kid here. you could argue that Dexter is just a kid as well, but he has such advanced technology that basically cancels that out.

what im trying to get at here, double d is literally just an average child with nothing but extra braincells he stole from his friends and more resources than usual that made him a guide. at 12. and is participating in a war. just. idk its probably that its horrifying to be a war general at such a young age??

OH AND I DIDNT EVEN BRING THIS UP YET BUT FUSIONFALL SURE AS HELL AINT AFRAID TO LET CHARACTERS DIE

in one of the versions of fusionfall, maybe the academy version?? Buttercup is presumed dead after one of the ppg fights against mojo jojo and she is shot into the sea and disappeared for like a bunch of years. Blossom and bubbles obviously had no idea shes still alive, and spent almost everyday trying to search for her until they had to give up and accept her sisters presumed death and THEN get burdened with an alien invasion (buttercup does come back tho, sorry for spoilers)

and in the future version where your character is accidentially sent far into the future where youre able to see the devastating amount of destruction the invasion can bring, you meet a lot less characters than you do when you travel back to the past. the past part of the game probably has at least over 50 characters or less im not sure, but when youre in the future theres at least 10 characters left

now im not totally sure if every character died or not, but considering the change in environment from the future and past, its not that far off from a possibility. though, it could jist be a personal headcanon for me.

but if this were true, then the game just killed off like the majority of their cast, including the main ones like Dexter and left some behind, obviously so you know what to do in the game but like imagine it from one of the characters perspectives??

eduardo is the only imaginary friend we meet in the future, so he's all alone with none of his friends there

eddy's the only kid left from the cul-de-sac like dude what

numbuh 2 and 5 are probably the only KND members we meet

Ben is still there

basically, everyone left had to watch their family and friends die and thats a little idk dark maybe for a cartoon network game?? i mean just a little-

anywho i love fusionfall its a lovely concept and i really want to talk to people about it but NONE OF MY FROENDS KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARTOON NETWORK AND IM GETTING SAD OF TALKING TO MYSLEF

goodbye

[panelshowsource]

i feel like i'm so annoying being like JOE WILKINSON ROISIN CONATY but please understand i say it because it would be guaranteed hilarious 🥹

but okay okay let's think

first i think it would be funny to have some of the well-known bonafide smartypantses on, like jo brand, david and victoria, charlie brooker, clive anderson, richard osman, dara, and john oliver, because it's just funny as heck to see them get tripped up or stumped hehe and you may be thinking "what about stephen fry and sandi toksvig?" THERE IS NO STUMPING THEM. EVER. AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT.

there are lots of other lowkey smartypantses who would be so funny — paul foot, armando iannucci, adam buxton, elis james, lee mack, rhod gilbert, bill bailey, miles jupp, wild card suggestion is darragh from the chase he cracks me up. now, random people smartypants and otherwise i think would kill the format hmmm okay besides joe and roisin who mean everything to me, guz khan, lucy beaumont, prof. hannah fry, ed gamble, chloe petts, mel giedroyc, vic reeves, claudia, matt forde? could be quite funny actually and i think guy would laugh at him a lot?, ahir shah, jess hynes, nish kumar, judi love, johnny vegas, jamie laing, jessica knappett, sara barron, kerry godliman, fatiha el-ghorri, ivo graham, get william hanson on there why not

🚨 danny dyer, susie dent, catherine tate, alan carr 🚨 HANDS DOWN!!!

don't you think this format would be perfect for chris addison to come back into our panel show lives

and omg mark watson because remember when guy was having a lil go at him 😭😭😭💀💀💀

CUZ THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT guy is the host and he needs to think the guests are funny... hmm who would have a hilarious dynamic with guy...well...everyone😁 guy is the best😁

it makes sense, too, that some of the funniest dynamics on a format like cats does countdown would work on guy mont spelling bee, since it's all about being a lil smarty — so russell howard and roisin on the same panel would be great because she does her best and he takes the piss out of her. people who take the piss out of each other...hmm...fatiha el-ghorri and phil wang lmfao...alan carr and romesh one of my underrated faves...frankie boyle and miles jupp would be so good omg

I SHOULD STOP NOW hehehe sorry for the block of text i answered this stream of consciousness i hope you don't mind heheheheh

what about you??

aww what a cute question 🥰 honestly i do associate it with autumn because it often comes out in september/october (so i think of it as part of the fall tv schedule)! but, really, i associate different series with different seasons? like i think of s7 as being winter time because kerry made that big circle in the snow hahaha that kind of thing! it wouldn't surprise me if a lot of people think of taskmaster + summer tho?

omg i love map men they're so funny

thanks for taking the time to send in these other recs i'll check them out 🥹🫶 posting these for everyone else to enjoy too!!!

i haven't seen either yet!!! how are they? they're both on my drive waiting for me to watch them 🥹 i might watch ahir's tonight

sorry anon i don't, only the epub version is easily available 😞 maybe someone reading this will be able to help out?

someone sent it over!! i added it to the drive :)<3

hello anon yes! i threw it in the alex horne collection folder here it is :)

hello! you're not the first person to ask me this but i really don't think you can! as far as i know there is no proshot, it was never streamed in cinemas, never streamed online... someone can correct me if i'm wrong but :(

i think we just missed seeing it at the actual theatre (▱˘︹˘▱)

—

PANEL SHOW WATCH LINKS / NON-PANEL SHOW WATCH LINKS FAQ / TAGS / ASK

[nerves-nebula]

Professor just said that in Christianity sharks are seen as a portent of doom & negative stuff which.. ? Um ? What does that mean??? I been around Christian’s all my life I don’t think they have a particular special meaning when it comes to sharks 😭

This is the same prof who said that questionable thing about Buddhism & animals. She’s a vet but I don’t think she actually knows anything about the cultural importance of certain animals lmao it’s ok tho she’s good at what she DOES know

[wandasaura]

I binge read all your prof!wanda posts yesterday and something aligned in the universe bc in college today there was this teacher that taught me last year she's very intense right but also weirdly gentle it's a whole thing anyways I was wearing this bracelet and she points it out and asks who put this on me bc I've worn it for the last 3 years lmao and I'm like no one I've just developed a habit of wearing it. TELL ME WHY DOES THIS WOMAN HAVE BOTH HER HANDS ON EITHER SIDES OF MY WRIST TUGGING SOFTLY ON THE THING AS SHES ASKING ME ABOUT IT DJBDKDH and me being the little ol useless lesbian I am, am having a brain malfunction thinking of the time she scolded me for something i didnt get and when I finally got the question right she went "good girl", AND SHE SCRATCHED UNDER THE START OF MY JAW LIKE I DO TO MY CAT😭😭 I did manage to awkwardly end the convo and get ice creams from the cafe with another friend of mine so now I have day dream material for at least the whole of next month

are you living in a 2014 wattpad fic ???! this is half the plot of after if hardin was a prof and not a college douche bag

[arkhammaid]

Max with a roster of men who would die for her. She is the ultimate Maneater...

She is so rich and could buy herself anything but which girl doesn't like gifts.

Also love the other anon's idea of one of the men being in media, his gift to max is basically writing extremely flattering articles about her and perhaps a lawyer who encourages max to sue everyone hating on her and ofcourse offers to head the legal procedures without any cost.

And another random thought, fem Max loves her cat and perhaps ends up with their vet???

Sorry for rambling. Also good luck with the professor thing. There is nothing worse that a professor who thinks too highly of themselves and think they are the gift of God (you can probably get I have some bad experiences)

Also take care dear author.

- 😴 anon

about this ask

yes, you get it!! why should she pant after men when she has dozens of them panting after her?

they learn what gifts she likes most, and while materialistic gifts are always good, something that has deeper meaning is often more appreciated by max. be it a weekend on a yacht, with foods and drinks served she loves, or sponsoring her e-racing team... truly, when you put some thought behind the gifts, you have a max that smiles at you and gives you sweet kisses and wow- isn't that just the best???

the man in the media (that's his name now) is a freelancing journalist, so he writes for many papers and his articles are always a hit. because not only are they very flattering for max and a fresh wind amongst all the hate, but he always does such well research and even manages to get a few quotes from max herself!

and the lawyer is literally her modern knight, ready to slap cease and desist on everyone, ready to rank in all the money for defaming his client 🙂‍↕️

(btw, max has many millionaires in her roster but also people in the working field. those are very competent in what they do, so dare i say... fem!max definitely has a competency kink)

max meets a vet when she gets jimmy and sassy chipped, and after that she always goes to him for yearly check ups or when something is wrong with her darlings. she sees with how much care and love he handles her babies, so when she hears that he is about to leave the place he's working at, she immediately offers him a job. as personal baby sitter for her darlings. very well paid. totally has nothing to do with the fact he has beautiful green eyes and a cute accent- he accepts of course, because why wouldn't he. he'll gladly be a glorified baby sitter for two feral cats when it means that max will talk to him daily (ugh i love this idea more and more)

don't feel sorry for rambling, i always adore when you do it 🫶 and thank youu, i was lucky for my bigger projects and works that i had decent teachers/profs but... yeah, you never know 😭 especially since i couldn't ask anyone personally to take over my bachelor so yeah, i really need some luck lol (and sorry you had to go through that, someone people really shouldn't be teachers 😔)

take care as well dearest anon <3

[gojonanami]

i've been summoned to speak about prof! gojo, because aaa, it's sososo good!

he would be so liked by his students, not only because of his looks, but also because he's great at teaching and has such great approach to his students

i believe that he would give his students the weirdest things and assignments to do, and all his students would be like "wtf are we even doing" and then he would be all grinning and being proud of himself and go on to explain what this was supposed to teach them, and everyone would be like "ooooh". he totally has the most unconventional but great teaching methods!

lemme just say that his office is a bit of a mess, but like organized mess? like if you ask him to find a black pen, he would be like "there it is!", and he doesn't bother cleaning it up, unless absolutely necessary.

he isn't afraid to wander off the point to talk about something silly, like a movie he watched recently, or some food he tried (he would totes give his student his really random recommendations), or make some jokes to loosen up poor stressed students.

just because he's liked doesn't mean he's not respected. oh no no. he isn't afraid to put somebody in their place if they're out of line either towards him or other people. and his tests are annoyingly difficult, but only to people who like didn't do anything at all, because if someone paid minimum attention in his class, they would know something because he says stuff in such easy to remember way, or makes some jokes about it that are easy to recall, or just simply says to remember it because he likes to ask about it on tests.

i'm not sure how he'd get interested in reader, because i frankly like too much the idea that someone else offered here of her correcting some formula on test/exam, and him taking interest in her because of that, and i'll stand by it! but i do think that it'd be cool if reader's maybe main focus wasn't physics, but like chemistry or just something else, and she only takes physics because it's mandatory, not that she doesn't like it! and gojo would be like "girl, no, you have too much talent" and go from there

have a good day!

I completely agree!! prof gojo would have very interesting teaching methods 😭🫣 he would make his students do ridiculous things but then it would pay off in the end (at least most of the time).

despite that he’s a good teacher that truly does care for his students. his office is organized chaos as you described (mine is too honestly, I know where shit is but it’s a hot mess). he would def be the type to call people out in class but only if it’s deserved or he really wants them to do well (but also because he’s a bit of a goof and likes to be a bit savage)

haha well since reader is a department head she may have a different speciality but she def would understand the principles of physics :)

[sungbeam]

(going off of ur reblog) THATS SO REAL LMFAO i oscillate between never checking grades and then obsessively checking them 💀💀 both are anxiety inducing so ig there’s no winning for us 😔😔 AND YEAHHH agree completely with the holidays & finals really making the end of the year busy—luckily my family doesn’t go all out for holidays but i’ve seen what other families do and i’m just like damn 👀 personally i could never but if people enjoy it i’m very happy for them 🙏

ALSO HELL YESSS we’re both academic weapons 🙏 lmao real i fucked up my gpa last semester so this semester i had to LOCK TF IN and make sure it didn’t drop any more 😭 and i’m in healthcare!! i don’t like to get *too* specific on tumblr because my major is really niche and if you google it my college immediately comes up 💀 lowk whenever i feel like i’m drowning i always stalk ur blog because ik ur pre-med (and also double majoring u crazy talented gal) and i’m like “alr duckie’s in the trenches too we gotta woman in stem our way outta this” HA 😭

so real about the crying/sick during exams too 💀 i was literally that student SOBBING during the exam during one of my midterms hdsbcjdnkx i can’t deal with math 😭

hopefully we both get to rest up well over this break!! i too am ignoring any possibility of productivity because i’m so committed to rotting 💀 spring semester is gonna kick my assss and i need time to rest (is what i’m telling myself)

how does ur spring semester look bae? hopefully not too packed or stressful <33 i believe in u!! hoping ur having a lovely day/night 😽🫶

it truly is the most anxious thrill of our student lives 💀 like i need to invent a way to check my grades without it being like waiting for a jumpscare to happen TT oh wait — maybe that's just dropping out of school 🤡🤡 my family also doesn't go all out for the holidays, but some years we get roped into family gatherings for lunch/dinner or i host a small holiday thing w my friends kdnfkd no fs like hats off to those who can go all out for the holidays tho, i truly don't have the energy for that 😭

i needed to lock in too omg this past quarter was actually so gross 😭 then again, it could've been a lot worse :'))) ahhh icic healthcare girlies rise up HAHA (even as the system beats us down 😭) WAIT THATS SO FUNNY PLS SKFNDKFN WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER THO BESTIE 🤝🏼 im not technically double majoring? (i once looked up the requirements to double major in bio and i exited out of that tab so fast like 💀 naw i wanna graduate), but it's like basically the same amt of work ig i just don't get it on a diploma 💔 omg i can't do math either, unless it's like a problem ik how to do? idk if that makes sense TT but mathematical problem solving doesn't come easy to me 😭 i have a friend who starts LAUGHING during an exam,, idek she gets possessed

YES LETS REST UP BEFORE THE NEXT SEMESTER/QUARTER 😭😭 it's ur last sem before graduation tho (i think?) so ur completely justified for rotting ksnfkdnf my next quarter is not looking great if im being honest.... apparently one of my ochem profs is absolutely ass and im taking four classes again just to meet my intended graduation time (im trying to graduate a year early ,, don't look at me like that,, 😭😭 my head hurts thinking abt it) I BELIEVE IN U TOO THO!! if u need someone to talk/rant to im here for ya — women in stem solidarity !! 🫂 have a lovely day/night beloved 💖💖

[zalrb]

the bear s2 was so good! 2x06 was AWFUL to watch, sugar’s storyline particularly got to me like that moment when she asks her mom if she’s okay and everyone at the table sighs??? seeing the way carmy’s family treats him was also great like that for real is the youngest child experience. i LOVED sydney’s storyline with trying out new food and her struggling with creating new dishes and them not turning out like she wants them to (showing us how she visualizes the dishes was very interesting also). marcus in copenhagen was such a beautiful episode. i do wish we had spent more time on tina and ebraheim though. and then ending the season on richie and carmy’s fight where richie tells carmy that he’s becoming his mom?? so good. it’s so cool when tv actually makes you feel something 😭

2x06 was an epic somewhat triggering episode for me and I'm still processing it for that reason because in different contexts, I've had the "I make things beautiful for everyone but no one makes things beautiful for me" conversations and the "no one will miss me" conversations and as an only child have been a cross between Carmy and Natalie so I just sat there like

I've said this before, but one of my writing profs told me that he couldn't watch The Sopranos because the family dinner scenes were too good and stressed him out and was like, "I left home for a reason!" and while the tension in The Sopranos is so incredibly realistic it makes me giggle whenever I watch it but this episode had me like, OK this is what he meant.

I also really love the story behind Sugar as a nickname for Natalie because it could be just a cute story that they lovingly refer to but knowing who their mother is and the context of how we learn the story behind Sugar, we can infer that she probably flew off the handle when she tasted how sweet that gravy and now that nickname is like a constant reminder of a stress point for their mother (and therefore for Natalie) and it follows her everywhere.

I also just love how in that episode, you always hear someone yelling in the background, it's such a great detail to me because it's constant, like constant, there's never any downtime, it never felt like someone was yelling for the purpose of the plot where it'd be silent for a moment and then suddenly someone's yelling, there's constant shouting in the background (except for upstairs in the bedroom and the quiet is spoken about because it's a rare thing) and the house kind of feels like a kitchen because of the constant noise and so it's another way that cooking and the kitchen can be linked to familial trauma for Carmy because the noises are similar.

One of my favourite scenes in the episode is when Richie and Michael tell Carmy about Claire because of the way they were talking over each other and not letting the other speak, like the realism of a) how that scene would go b) the script and how they acted it, oh *chef's kiss*.

It's definitely an episode I need to watch again to dissect.

I also like that 2x06 went to the past and was an insight into why Carmy is Carmy and what food and cooking can mean for him and why he struggles with answering why he does what he does -- he loves cooking but it's not fun etc. and 2x07 is back to the present and went to Richie finding his purpose and it was a very serious episode for his arc but I appreciated the levity in it and how delivering a deep dish pizza was treated like mission impossible (even if the point was serious, I think they had a lot of unserious fun with that shot) because of what we went through in 2x06 but I worked in a kitchen in a hotel (where I lived, not in the hotel but the staff block in the back) in the UK and that time of my life was actually one of the lowest points of my life (also when I joined tumblr!) so when he started polishing silver, I had like a flashback to me after dinner service polishing cutlery and not being able to eat dinner until everything was done, which means not eating until about 1:30 AM and being like holy SHIT I remember doing that. THIS SEASON IS BRINGING UP A LOT OF THINGS FOR ME. Of course, Richie begins to find his purpose and starts drinking the kool-aid by the end of the episode and adapts it to his own style for The Bear, which is nice. (I never did that lmao).

I also LOVED the way Carmy's lack of focus also epitomized itself in the handle for the fridge and the way that came back with him locking himself in the fridge, i.e. the physical manifestation of his indecision where has to sit with everything he's been avoiding or deflecting or transferring, just so, so good.

I liked seeing Sydney with her dad and getting to know that relationship more and their conversations were also extremely realistic, like when they have that little tiff at her mom's birthday and she's just like, "I don't see why you have to bring that up!" I was like HA, yes, I know that reaction. And seeing Sydney's mounting panic and anxiety about opening a restaurant in a pandemic and seeing her connections in this world more and getting to know these people in a very quick and short period of time and through what they cook so that when you see things like I think the name was Verandah shut down with a flashback to that chef, it does make you feel for that person and also for Sydney? Excellent.

It's such a small detail but I loved when one of the older cooks possibly a mentor is like "You'll be fine" *head tilt* when Sydney tells him that she's opening a restaurant with a partner because I can't explain it, but that's what a mentor or more experienced person sounds and looks like when they see one of their pupils or a somewhat green up-and-comer do something that requires a lot of risk and has a huge potential for failure or for being a waste of time. I once saw an author I'd admired do a reading and they went off on how much they hated MFA programs and how they were a waste of time and cash cows and how you shouldn't go to one straight out of undergrad and I sat there in the front row, right out of undergrad in an MFA program and when I got to speak to them after their talk, I was like so I'm a first year MFA student straight out of undergrad and they did the exact same thing they were like "Oh, you'll be fiiiiiiiiiiine" *head tilt* haha so I was like THAT IS HOW THAT LOOKS AND SOUNDS.

I will say that in season 1 my biggest issue was that it was a story with white main characters set against a backdrop of a [great] Black/poc supporting cast who were given little interiority and I liked that this season expanded on them more, particularly (going in order for expansion) Sydney (though she wasn't supporting in season 1 but still, less interiority than Carmy and Richie) and then Marcus and then Tina and then Ebrahiem but while it was really great seeing Sydney go to different restaurants to test her palate and struggle with finding a menu -- and I agree that seeing how she visualized food was very interesting and cool to watch -- and while seeing Marcus flourish in Copenhagen was great and heartwarming, I was like none of the foods that they eat or learn from are like soul food or Haitian food or Jamaican food or Ethiopian food or Nigerian food etc. etc. and it bothers me that they're left out of the conversation because while that's not the food that they're cooking, they're learning from all of these different contexts and yet none of those contexts are Black/predominately Black countries and leaving them out of the exploration when they have a fairly big Black cast rubs me the wrong way and I think also contributes to these cuisines being left out of explorations/conversations about high calibre cooking.

I knew Marcus' mother was going to die or her health was going to turn for the worst so I was waiting for that shoe to drop (lol) but I was still very sad when it did especially how it did and again, I love that him knocking the phone off the counter came back later. Just so many great details. I'm definitely going to rewatch the season.

[sweetnotgentle]

my complaints of the day

held the door open for a guy and he didnt hold it open for the person literally right behind just walked through like he was a princess. which isnt that big of a deal but who does that lmfao.

its rainy and freezing and i forgot my umbrella.

i dont mind outspoken/loud people but the one’s who have to nitpick everything a professor says……. on my child psych’s professor’s syllabus she put the quickest way to contact her was just by texting her & she didnt put her email. a girl asks whats the best way to get in contact her, prof says “its on the syllabus”, girl says “it says quickest way not best way”. and they went back and forth for a solid minute. bitch if we put our thinking caps on we can come to the conclusion that the quickest way IS the best way. why are you arguing 😭😭

western civiliation prof cancelled class without sending email just posted a note on the door dude i could have been home already just send an email. i am glad that i get to go earlier tho🤞🏼🤞🏼

[skitskatdacat63]

It's fine though bcs I can still use my Baroque knowledge 🤭 we talked about that one very well known Louis XIV painting, and I'm sitting there like...damn I know way too much about this era. If you sit next to me in this art history class, you WILL be learning fun facts

Some things I pointed out :D

- the red heels!!! The fashion of the time!!!(the girl next to me was kinda grimacing looking at them after I explained it was the men's fashion of the time fhfjfk)

- ^ and alongside that, the significance of him having his legs out like that, cause he's showing them. Barking cause I was literally discussing how I feel a bit insane abt stockings and garters the other day 😭

- The holy scepter and crown of course!(lol tho I think the Austrian ones are way sexier) Also that hand thing next to it, which I think is a symbol of divine right? Which my prof had never noticed before! And was freaking out after we pointed it out

- the coronation robes(I made her grimace again explaining that its made out of stoat fur, and their tails specifically are those little black bits)

- the chivalry collar of the Order of the Holy Spirit(tfw I pointed this out after my prof asked us to point out signs of his king identity, and she's like, well I don't know much about that so. BUT I DO 😭😭😭 I feel very insane about it particularly cause there's a lot of implications with Philip V, aka boy king Fernando, having to do with that. But yeah chivarly necklace. Amazing to me!)

- The sword of Charlemagne(okay but why does HE have that!? Shouldn't that belong to the Holy Roman Empire? 😭)

- The wig(yet again, explaining old fashion to people who aren't invested in it is soooo funny. But I personally love periwigs)

There's other things but this is stuff I knew purely cause I'm a nerd abt this era 😭 sitting there shaking trying not to spout a billion fun facts to my seat neighbor about this era in history and royalty, and how actually Vienna is way coole- 😭

"Italian baroque," "French baroque," "Dutch baroque," WHAT ABOUT AUSTRIAN BAROQUE ☹️☹️

[liinos]

i hate when people call me liv -_-

[leviiattacks]

do you think loid loves yor? i think yor likes him but i don’t know if love is the right word everyone uses it to describe them but i don’t see it

long post!! i take a while to get to yor specifically but hear me out i have a lot to say here!!!

early on in the manga chapter 8.5 loid overhears the neighbour’s speculating he’s having an affair because he returns from work so late. in response to it he thinks “when i get home i have this fake family”. pretty standard, it’s true they aren’t his real wife or child but later on in chapter 55 he no longer refers to yor and anya in that way.

chapter 8.5

chapter 55

nothing makes him think “i still ended up abandoning my family” he does that by his own will. by this point in particular it’s clear that yor’s and anya’s role in his life have crossed the threshold of fake or artificial. he truly does see them as his own. regardless of him saying he cares because of operation strix it’s undeniable that he cares for them too.

moving forward, another very telling piece of evidence that shows loid really sees them as his family is this panel with bond from chapter 58.2

“i want you to think of yourself as a member of the forger family” loid has no reason to say that to… a dog. to be talking like they are really his family to bond who he thinks can’t understand what he’s saying just proves it. he’s got his guard down and admits it because well, let’s be honest who cares if the family dog knows how he really feels? as per usual loid then backtracks and links his thoughts back to operation strix because again. this man is in denial.

loid practically has to throw himself into the role of the loving husband and he plays it incredibly well, why you ask? because he’s never been acting in the first place. it’s honestly quite obvious as a manga reader especially because of a lot of his mannerisms towards anya and yor or the way he thinks about them

the fact that fiona, someone who prides herself in knowing everything about loid notices loid breaking character in chapter 30 says a lot. she says it’s the first time his fake smile has really seemed genuine.

loid and yor know their marriage is fake, they literally know yet when yor gets the wrong idea or feels inadequate as a wife loid always comforts her and tells her she’s great. when she thinks he’ll leave her for someone else instead of saying something like “we’re not even a real couple” he reassures her that he would never leave her and anya. when she feels bad about her cooking he tells her not to worry either and encourages her.

then there’s the infamous “rest up yor” panel

when fiona visits and loid only gets angry when she criticises yor - this is very similar to his reaction towards prof swan in the eden interview arc. he grows defensive easily when people question yor’s capability as his wife

i could go on about yor and loid forever but it’s very obvious he has feelings for her. during the cruise ship arc he says it’s lonely eating dinner without yor and when anya calls him sappy he backtracks, he buys cake for their (fake) one year anniversary but again there’s NO POINT in doing that if they really see each other as fake husband and wife.

when loid is suspicious of yor because of yuri and he spies on her he feels guilty for ever doubting her especially after she later says she’s glad she married him.

frankie tells loid to trust no one and to not feel guilty for doubting her. after all in their line of work trusting people is the last thing you want to do. at this statement loid looks pretty annoyed and tired. then he rips off frankie’s face disguise before telling him to stop lecturing him… 😭😭

but most of all i think this panel is the most convincing.

he tells yor to be who she really wants because he believes she out of the two of them has the freedom to not pretend - she can love him and their family but he can’t love her or this family back. he thinks he can’t but has no idea that he already does.

[hiraya-rawr]

(old work) Found Family trope (Modern!AU)

Characters: Zhongli, Xiao, Qiqi

note: this is a really old fic so read at your own risk, I suppose! (4.2022 update)

Summary: HCs on Xiao with a broken family, Qiqi as his adopted little sister, and Professor Zhongli taking care of them

Contains: Mentions of a broken family, but more of a school family HC, super brief mentions of violence

Zhongli (History Prof / Student Council Facilitator)

I can never visualize Zhongli as an actual student unless I have to. He's definitely a professor and all the female and male students love him 😤❣️

He's super good at his job but he probably leaves a lot of the student council work to the students themselves 😀

Would always stock the council room with tea even though he doesn't have mora. People prolly think he's rich but he keeps coupons for grocery discounts (really good at couponing too).

Even though he acts like a grandpa, other students can't help but notice how well he interacts with Childe (the PE teacher? Or Economics professor idk) and Xiao (who's definitely a family friend or neighbor since childhood.

He probably raised Xiao more than Xiao's own parents 😭

Sometimes brings up domestic topics to Xiao in school, causing students to suspect Zhongli might be a young father.

“How does beef stew sound for dinner, Xiao?”

“Don’t talk to me at school.”

“Anyway, Qiqi is in my office playing with her dragon plush so you need not go to the kindergarten later.”

"Alright. Go away."

"Your hair looks a bit messy, let me fix it fo-"

*Xiao running away, embarrassed*

Probably also took care of Qiqi 🥺 (Xiao's adopted little sister?), which might be why he's always broke (single father vibes but he's not actually a father😐).

Imagine Professor Zhongli assigning you as the student that prepares tea before every SC meeting though.

Xiao may seem cold but he definitely appreciates Zhongli's help, at least, until he's old enough to take care of Qiqi on his own (he doesn't want to burden Zhongli, not that the professor ever thinks of them as a burden)

Qiqi (Kindergartener)

Xiao's adorable kindergarten little sister? Probably adopted in an attempt to save their parents' failing marriage, it didn't.

Qiqi waits for Xiao in the kindergarten building since they end earlier than the high schoolers. Sometimes she gets bored and starts to wander off to the high school department to find him.

Other times, Klee drags her along to “Find big brother Albedo!” with her. Students can't help but fawn over how adorable they are.

"Aww what's a kindergartener doing here? Are you lost?"

“No. Big brother.”

“Are you looking for your brother?"

“Big brother.”

“Who?”

“Brother.”

“Does your brother have a name?”

“...”

“...”

She carries around a little notebook where Xiao wrote everything, like his phone number, classroom, Zhongli’s number, including a very threatening message to anyone that might kidnap her.

“Don't read this message, okay? If a bad stranger comes up to you, you give this to them.”

Might somehow end up in Zhongli's office since the students have no idea where to bring her and as an excuse to meet their hot professor. Eventually all the high schoolers know to lead a wandering Qiqi to Zhongli.

Qiqi knows Zhongli as the one that takes care of her and Xiao (mentally associates him as their dad, but she doesn't call him that).

That or she ends up in the infirmary where Baizhu works. Baizhu likes Qiqi and tends to keep her there if Zhongli and Xiao are busy.

My sad!dark!Qiqi hc is that she probably came from an abusive household before getting adopted, causing her to withhold memories due to trauma (either that or her old family was violent enough to hit her head :( resulting in memory issues)

Imagine Xiao carrying Qiqi's bag as they walk home, other hand holding onto her hand. He didn't want an adopted sister because of his messed up parents, but he's a bit happy to have someone by his side.

Masterlist

A/N: Thought of this while drafting this fic Student Government - Liyue Edition